Notre Dame basketball: Blake Wesley could change everything for the Irish
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame basketball team pulled off a stunning victory against Kentucky on Saturday thanks to a game-winning shot from Blake Wesley.
Going into the 2021-22 college basketball season, we knew that the Notre Dame basketball team had a lot of veteran talent returning. In addition, we also knew that they had some talented players joining the program as well, including former Ivy League co-Player of the Year Paul Atkinson, and true freshman, Blake Wesley.
Both players have done a tremendous job for the Irish this season, and while it was expected that Atkinson would come in and be a difference-maker, you never know how true freshmen are going to react to the college game. Well, Wesley has been outstanding, moving into the starting lineup in early December, and becoming a key for this Irish offense.
On Saturday night, against a top-10 team in the Kentucky Wildcats, Wesley had his moment to put this program on his back, and he did just that, hitting the game-winner with under 12 seconds left in the game. A Dane Goodwin dunk would make it a four-point win for the Irish, but it was Wesley’s clutch shot that not only won the game for this Notre Dame basketball team but also rewarded Mike Brey for his confidence in the young player.
In fact, a player like Wesley can have a lasting impact on a program, and it is clear that things are different for this team when he is on the court. He was a huge get for the program, a local kid from Riley High School in South Bend, and his play on Saturday was crucial in one of the biggest wins this program has seen in quite some time.
Notre Dame basketball continues to roll at home
With the win, Notre Dame basketball is still perfect at home, and this was a special night, as they inducted LaPhonso Ellis into the Ring of Honor, and new head football coach Marcus Freeman got the crowd in a frenzy. To snap a three-game losing streak against this kind of competition could be just what the Irish need going forward, as they host a tough Indiana team Saturday inside Purcell Pavilion.
This was a statement win for Mike Brey and his Irish team, and hopefully, this kind of victory will springboard this Notre Dame basketball team to finally ending their tournament drought. We knew when the Irish signed Wesley that he had the potential to be a star for this program, and on Saturday, he showed up big in the biggest of moments.